Center for Craft Grants and Fellowships

Overview

The Center for Craft invests in the next generation of makers, curators, and scholars. The Center functions as a catalyst for scholarly research in craft and provides grants and fellowships supporting craft research, artist development, curatorial work, teaching, and the study of underrepresented craft histories.

Current Programs

• Craft-Based Education Grant: Grants for previous Teaching Artist Cohort awardees to develop teaching tools with support from a mentor. Apply by November 16, 2026.
• Windgate-Lamar Fellowship: Selected by nomination each year for 10 emerging artists who show exemplary skill in craft. Applications open December 1, 2026.
• Teaching Artist Cohort: Grants and a six-month cohort experience for mid-career artists who also teach. 2026 Awards Announced.
• Virginia A. Groot Material Exploration Residency: An eight-week residency in Asheville, North Carolina, for makers to explore new materials and processes. 2026 Awards Announced.
• Craft Archive Fellowship: Awards for archival research on underrepresented and nondominant craft histories in the United States. Applications currently closed.
• WNC Craft Futures Fund: Phased relief and recovery grants for artists in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. Applications currently closed.
• Curatorial Fellowship: A 10-month program to give emerging curators a platform to explore and test new ideas about craft. Applications currently closed.
• Craft Research Fund Grant: Grants for new and interdisciplinary research about craft in the United States. Grant Paused.

Research Grants

• Craft Research Fund—Project Grant: Grants up to $15,000 for research, writing, support documentation, images or rights to use images or text, as part of craft research yet to be completed. Applications closed.
• Craft Research Fund—Graduate Grant: Grants of up to $5,000 support research related to a Master's thesis relating to United States studio craft by students enrolled in graduate programs in an accredited college or university. Applications closed.